Professor Device Developer Microfluidics and Microreactors

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences , Department of of Bioengineering Sciences , is looking for a part-time professor. 

More concretely your work package contains: 

Education and Research domain:

Experimental microfluidics and chip and microreactor design 

Education tasks:

• You are co-instructor of the 6 ECTS course Microfluidics (variants for Sustainable Chemistry and for Biotechnology) and deliver approximately half of the lectures.
• You supervise master's and PhD students in their thesis work as a (co-)supervisor.
• You are involved in the organization of workshops and training courses (e.g., within the framework of the Flanders Chips Competence Center).

Research tasks:

• You develop microfluidic applications that make use of microstructured chips fabricated from silicon, glass, and polymers. These applications relate, among other, to analytical and preparative separations, as well as to the generation and handling of suspensions. Over time, you will also develop new applications on your own initiative or in collaboration with the µFlow Team network.
• You develop fabrication process flows and advanced experimental setups for these microfluidic applications.
• You perform supporting numerical multiphysics simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics) to gain insight into systems equipped with components designed to manipulate fluids and particles, such as electrodes, actuators, rotors, and similar devices. 

Other tasks:

• You contribute to the overall operation of the µFlow Team (led by Prof. Wim De Malsche) and interact closely with the associated GEAR (Group of Excellence for Advanced Research) µFlow Cell group and the MICROLAB core facility.
• You develop research project proposals (e.g., FWO, EIC Pathfinder, MSCA Doctoral Networks, Innoviris, etc.) and coordinate and supervise funded projects.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• You hold a PhD in Sciences or (Bio-)Engineering Sciences

• You have at least four years of postdoctoral experience.
• You currently hold, and will continue to hold for the next three years, a part-time postdoctoral position at VUB in the field of microfluidics/microreactors.
• You are eager to apply your expertise to both fundamental and applied research.
• You are able to motivate, coach, and foster collaboration.
• You communicate effectively, actively build networks, and feel comfortable interacting with researchers, students, and industrial partners.
• You possess strong organizational skills, are capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, and work proactively, in a structured manner, and with a solution-oriented mindset.
• You have published in high-quality (Q1, Web of Science-indexed) scientific journals on topics relevant to this position.
• You are an expert in microfluidics, with experience in the associated experimental techniques and the ability to develop complete experimental setups. You have experience with and insight into the fabrication of chips made from silicon, glass, and polymers.
• You have experience teaching university-level courses and supervising Master's and PhD students in their thesis research.
• You are proficient in COMSOL Multiphysics and CAD software for designing microfluidic chips and experimental setups.
• You have experience writing scientific project proposals and have a proven track record in the successful management and reporting of large, interdisciplinary projects (e.g., EU-funded projects).

• You subscribe to the university’s vision of education. The full text in relation to this is available on the university website.

• Every first appointment is dependent upon the successful delivery of a teaching session.  

• Language regulations:

A member of the academic staff who is entrusted with a teaching assignment must also be able to demonstrate that the language of instruction is known at ERK level C1 through a qualification certificate or through an adequate diploma. The VUB also provides courses in, for example, academic English.

The administrative language of the VUB is Dutch. In case of insufficient knowledge of Dutch, the VUB will provide an integration course. After a maximum of five years, a member of the academic staff must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the administrative language (ERK level B2).

For a complete overview, please consult the complete language regulations on https://jobs.vub.be/content/Regulations-concerning-language-proficiency/. 

Certificates demonstrating knowledge of the language can already be added to the application. 

• As a (non-)EEA national, meet the conditions for obtaining a valid permit for VUB and comply with the VUB residence requirements. More info here.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered an appointment as professor, for an assignment of 0.1 FTE, for 3 years (renewable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the activities), with planned starting date 01/01/2027. 

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 25/10/2026, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your motivation letter, including your vision on education and research, and an explanation about the development of your future research;
• your curriculum vitae, including you academic dossier; 
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni) and language certificates.

Our application process is as follows (subject to change):

• step 1: an initial selection based on your application file; 
• step 2: on the basis of a trial lesson, a presentation and a selection interview, the selection committee identifies your competences;
• step 3: a final interview with the dean for the first ranked candidate.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. W. De Malsche at Wim.De.Malsche@vub.be .

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.